Hard fought win in thrilling encounter sees Clitheroe maintain promotion push

The town team travelled to promotion seeking rivals Tarleton for a match that would be significant in defining the season for both teams.
This was a fixture that had been rearranged due to a previous weather postponement and although Storm Doris had struck, Tarleton still managed to produce a soggy but playable surface.
Clitheroe travelled with a strong squad, albeit depleted by a couple of injuries, which was intent on reversing the previous week’s narrow loss.
Revved up by their captain and with a strong wind at their backs Clitheroe started the game and started strongly with their intent evidenced by a crunching tackle from Nat Dickenson on a Tarleton forward.
With the conditions dictating Clitheroe’s game plan, the pack kept the ball close, going through phase after phase and repeatedly getting over the gain line. Thornber began with strong carries, repeatedly tying in defenders and Clitheroe dominated possession and territory in the early stages. Tarleton were tackling well but the early pressure told and an infringement resulted in a penalty to the Maroons. Peel, still suffering from a stomach upset, slotted the penalty with a lucky mishit but they all count.
Clitheroe’s narrow ascendancy in the early stages resulted in territory but yielded little as Tarleton defended well with their back row forwards spoiling wherever they could. The set piece and line out worked well for Clitheroe and again following strong carries from Chamberlain, Dickenson W and Hayton, Clitheroe came close to scoring but were unable to cross the line. The pressure was telling on Tarleton and following good interplay between backs and forwards, Thornber drove for the line but was only stopped by a defender infringing on the line and Clitheroe were awarded a penalty try which was duly converted.
Tarleton came back into the game, their scrum half being central to all they did, and their pack reinforced by early replacements started making ground. Defensively every man in a maroon shirt needed to step up and they did without exception. Slinger and Spenceley Jones in the centres tackled ferociously with Slinger at the heart of the action. However the pressure slowly built and Tarleton ran through a couple of phases and created the space to score a deserved try which was duly converted.
The intensity of the game increased and following a Clitheroe attack Slinger received 10 minutes in the bin with a Tarleton player lucky not to receive similar. Again Clitheroe stepped up their efforts with 14 men, with Penny having to be replaced by Edmondson at hooker following a leg injury.
Clitheroe always looked dangerous and following good support by Hayton and Houldsworth some space was created on the wing. Bleasdale received the pass, stepped two defenders superbly and crossed the line from 10 meters for a sublime finish.
Peel converted the extras to make it 17-7 to the Maroons.
Just as those thought half time had been reached with a narrow lead, Clitheroe failed to kick the ball dead and Tarleton counter attacked to score a fine try in the corner. The conversion was missed and half time with Clitheroe leading 17-12.
The second half commenced and soon Clitheroe were back to full complement, the only other change being Lafranceshina replacing Seed (groin). Lafranceshina went to full back and made a telling contribution and the excellent Houldsworth went to the wing.
Clitheroe maintained their game plan of going through the phases with the forwards who were putting in a phenomenal effort. Pate, Rigby, Chamberlain were everywhere making themselves available and making good carries. The partnership of Peel and Cathcart were combining well with the decision making ensuring Clitheroe maintained possession and were well organised defensively as the pressure from Tarleton increased.
Tarleton came back strongly, backed by a vociferous crowd and they strengthened from the bench. Clitheroe were equal to the challenge in what was becoming a forward battle of attrition. The Maroons never took a backward step and this resulted in a Tarleton forward seeing yellow and ten minutes in the bin. With discipline essential Clitheroe again attacked with good play from Slinger and Spenceley Jones creating an overlap but the ball just failed to go to hand.
This was always going to be close and all knew that there was further scoring in this tight game. And so it proved with Tarleton exerting pressure on the Clitheroe line that eventually told and a try was scored that brought the scores level. The conversion was missed and with 20 minutes to go no mistakes could be afforded by either side. Unfortunately that mistake was made by a Clitheroe infringement in the Maroons half and up stepped the Tarleton kicker to coolly slot the penalty to give the hosts a 20 -17 lead.
Now this was the pivotal moment for the Clitheroe team. Courage and leadership was shown by every man as they thought and fought with all they had. Dickenson W led from the front and the Maroons went through the phases in the Tarleton half. Cool decision making was needed, the play wasn’t rushed and the Tarleton line was in sight. Following repeated phases the excellent Thornber crashed over the line to score that crucial try. The conversion was missed and now 10 minutes to see out the game.
Tarleton upped the pressure, another of their forwards receiving a yellow card for an infringement at the ruck. The back three of Clitheroe tackled as if their lives depended on it with Spenceley Jones and Dickenson N making timely hits to stem the Tarleton tide. Taylor replaced Hayton for a blood injury and immediately put his body on the line for the cause.
More drama as Clitheroe infringed with a kickable penalty for Tarleton. Sharp intake as the kick was missed but again another penalty! The scrum half tapped and went only to be tackled immediately by Cathcart. A yellow card was given but the phrase one for the team springs to mind.
Clitheroe held on for the last few plays to record a crucial win. In what was a great and entertaining game of rugby every man in a Clitheroe shirt produced a superb performance.
Man of the match though goes to Sam Thornber for his superb carrying and tackling and he was a thorn in the side of Tarleton all day.
Clitheroe play next week at home to Chorley. All support welcome with entertainment guaranteed!